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Friday, April 6, 2012

Follow Friday - Buying books because bad reviews?

Follow Friday is a feature created by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a fun blog hop where you meet other book bloggers and find people to follow.

Question: Have you ever bought a book BECAUSE of a bad review?

Not that I can think of. Most of the reviews I read are from my blogging or goodreads friends. So it's people who's taste I know and respect. That's something I like about following reviews and having friends on goodreads. I get to know their reviewing style and what they like. I can normally predict where our tastes diverge.

The real crux of this question is what constitutes a bad review. I know some people consider 3 stars a bad review. I've read a TON of books that had 3 star reviews. I've recommended books that I gave 3 stars to friends (friends who, as expected, loved them more than me).

To me a 1 or 2 star is a bad review. I have never read a book based solely on a 1 or 2 star review. There are so many books in the world. Why would I read a bad one? Sometimes I have read books after reading a bad review, but those are always books I intended to read anyways. And I never read books just for the lulz. I've thought about it. Then I think about the 250+ books on my to be read shelf. Every time the potentially good books win.

I've read books after reading mediocre reviews. Sometimes a friend will not like a book but as they describe it it sounds like a book that I would like.

What about everyone else? Have you read a book because of a bad review?

Just hopping on by to say Hi. I have been tempted a couple of times to see if it's possible for a book to be as bad as a review has suggested but otherwise as you say why bother when there are so many with good and great reviews.

I agree- a 3 star review is not as much a bad review as a 'meh' review! I get curious about books that have the majority 1 or 2 star reviews on goodreads- as of yet I haven't had enough money to bother buying them!

If I'm on Goodreads, I usually buy books based on a review higher than 3.5 ... but that's just me. There are some I have on my shelf that have a lower rating than 2.5! Needless to say, I haven't read them yet. :)

But yeah, I want my books to be good, so I'm definitely not likely to buy a book based on a bad review ... there are just too many books in the world!

Agreed. I give books I like 3 stars all the time. To me that means it's worth a read--at least one read. I have read books, though, when I know other reviewers gave it 1 or 2 stars. Sometimes the review tips me off on something I know I'd like. For example, a 1 star review given because they person doesn't like science fiction, to me, means I'd like the book. If that makes any sense at all... heh.

3 stars is not a bad review, I agree. I won't read any books that have less than around a 3.3 or so on Goodreads. But I freaking love that site because, like you said, even when my friend's reviews are all over the place, I know what that will likely mean for ME as a reader. I don't think I've ever bought a book because of a "bad" review but I definitely buy them when people say they are super sad or really disturbing or (insert some other "most" here).

I've seen a couple of posts on 3 star reviews lately! I agree, a 3 star rating is definitely not bad. And some 3 star books have become 5 star ones for me. So really, they are either love-it-or-hate-it books or books with potential- and a few flaws. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm following you back :)

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Apologies for the delay in returning the favour, but I went away for the Easter weekend. Kind of nice to take a break from the computer sometimes!

I like your blog -- I'll be back to visit for sure! Are you still involved in Girl Scouts? I was involved in Guiding (Canadian Girl Scouts) for YEARS and have recently been considering getting involved again.

I agree with everything you said! I also have A TON of books to read, so why would I choose a book based on a bad review? I always prefer reading those that were liked by most people (in old releases).

Melissa: I am actually currently employed by a Girl Scout council doing program/training. I actually made this blog when I was volunteering at Our Chalet in Switzerland but didn't really use it for that purpose.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by! Hopefully I'll see you on this FF!